Banking News – Former President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Chairman of IME Group, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has urged investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in various potential sectors of Nepal. Chairman Dhakal, who was in the UAE to participate in the “RAK Investment Summit 2026” held in Ras Al Khaimah, made this request during a meeting with UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed various aspects of Nepal-UAE bilateral relations, trade expansion, and investment opportunities in Nepal. Dhakal noted that there is high potential in Nepal’s hydropower, tourism, agriculture, information technology, and data center sectors, and urged investment in these areas. He stated that due to the sufficient clean energy (hydropower) available in Nepal and its cool climate, Nepal can become an extremely attractive destination for establishing information technology and data centers. He also informed about the significant opportunities for investment in high-level tourism infrastructure such as cable cars and ski resorts.

Both sides expressed happiness over the context of the completion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the UAE. Dhakal welcomed Minister Al Zeyoudi’s idea of organizing a special ceremony on the occasion of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations to be celebrated next year in 2027. Dhakal also emphasized the need to continue high-level exchange visits between the government and the private sector to take the relationship between the two countries to a higher level on the occasion of the golden jubilee.

Dhakal pointed out the need to further strengthen legal frameworks such as the Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to assure investors of policy and regulatory clarity. Dhakal praised Fly Dubai for starting direct flights from the UAE to Pokhara International Airport and requested initiatives to operate direct flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa as well. He stated that if direct flights begin in Bhairahawa, it would become an important gateway directly connecting the UAE with Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

He also expressed confidence that the upcoming golden jubilee year 2027 will mark the beginning of a new chapter of shared prosperity and strong economic partnership between Nepal and the UAE.